Westward Parish Councilhttp://www.westward.org.uk
The parish of Westward is in Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District. It is a rural community in a beautiful, and sometimes breathtaking environment. The parish is a collection of hamlets and is divided into the two electoral wards of Westward and Rosley. We are a vibrant community with many activities in the two village halls. The interests of the parish are represented by the members of the Parish CouncilThu, 15 Nov 2018 19:27:19 +0000http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6enAugust Minuteshttp://www.westward.org.uk/2018/11/15/august-minutes/
http://www.westward.org.uk/2018/11/15/august-minutes/#commentsThu, 15 Nov 2018 19:27:19 +0000Clerkhttp://www.westward.org.uk/?p=603Westward Parish Council

Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday the 20th of August 2018 at 7.30pm in Westward Halls, Westward.

Councillors Present: Mr Brown, Mr Studholme, Mrs Stoddart, Mr Hartley

Mrs Robinson & Mrs Rothery.

Also Present; E Clark (Clerk), M Grave (The Link) & Mr Hird.

106/18 Chairman’s announcements

Cllr Brown welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that a representative from the parish council had been invited to attend the licensing of the Revd Eileen Reid as priest in charge of the Warnell Benefice on Monday the 17th of September at 7.30pm in St Kentigerns’Church, Caldbeck.

There was no improvement on visibility at Sandy Brow, School Road had been repaired but no action on drainage.It was noted that the cyclists on the roads could sometimes be inconsiderate to drivers.He advised that he had spoken to Cllr Fairbairn and passed on the councils good wishes.

The street light at Rosley Hall which also covers the school entrance has been inoperative for sometime – clerk to request it be repaired.The signpost at the junction of the Brocklebank road and the road to Bolton New Houses is pointing in the wrong direction and therefore misleading.The signpost at Gerrard House requires repairing.Recent road works on the road to Bluegate crossroads caused major disruption due to no prior warning & no signage at Red Dial crossroads advising the road was closed – clerk to contact highways.There is a large hole, possibly a missing manhole cover in the verge at Rosley crossroads (last field on right hand side) – Cllr Brown to look at.

119/18 Superfast Broadband

The following email update was received from Cumbria Fibre Partnerships;

This has been sitting with our Planners for weeks now and they have reported it’s proving just impossible to do. The postcodes are too random and spread over far too large an area to even be considered as a technical solution - or even one that does not cost 100’s of £1000s.The Parish Council need to really reconsider their approach on this. Asking people if they are interested then sending in postcodes with very few properties that are miles and miles apart clearly isn’t working. Can I suggest that we arrange for the Parish Council to meet up with Paul Cretney and look at what may actually be possible on a much smaller scale? Community Fibre Partnerships work at their best when small clusters of populated areas are identified and looked at in isolation. We have tried really hard on this one but, unfortunately, we just can’t work with what has been provided. Can you let me know re a meeting and I can ask Paul for availability.

Clerk to progress meeting with Paul Cretney.

120/18Speeding Vehicles on the Rosley Road

An email from Rory Stewart advised that he had not yet heard from Cumbria County Council but he would chase their response today.He advised he would be unable to attend the parish council meeting as he would not be in the constituency that day, however he would continue to do what he could to support the parish council.

121/18 Parish Noticeboards

The Northern Fells - ‘Men in Sheds’ have now taken the cork off the Rosley & Westward boards and replaced it with soft wood.Hopefully the new board at Curthwaite will be installed before the next meeting.

122/18Defibrillators

Rosley & Westward both have defibrillators.A group in Curthwaite are currently trying to get funding to make up the shortfall to purchase a machine for Curthwaite which would go into the telephone box.The parish council advised that they would help out where they could.

123/18 Clerk’s Resignation

The clerk’s resignation was noted and accepted by the council.Vacancy to be advertised on the parish noticeboards, via CALC & in the parish newsletter.

124/18 Items for inclusion on the next Agenda

Clerk Vacancy

125/18 Date and time of next meeting

It was noted that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Monday the 19th of November 2018 in Rosley Village Hall, commencing at 7.00pm.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending & the meeting was closed at 8.30pm.

]]>http://www.westward.org.uk/2018/11/15/august-minutes/feed/November Agendahttp://www.westward.org.uk/2018/11/15/november-agenda/
http://www.westward.org.uk/2018/11/15/november-agenda/#commentsThu, 15 Nov 2018 19:19:07 +0000Clerkhttp://www.westward.org.uk/?p=601The Next Meeting of the Parish Council will be held in Rosley Village Hall,on

Monday the 19thof November 2018 starting at 7.30 p.m.

AGENDA

1.

Chairman’s announcements

To receive announcements by the Chairman.

2.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

3.

Requests for Dispensations

The clerk to report any requests since the previous meeting for dispensations to speak and/or vote on any matter where a member has a disclosable pecuniary interest

4.

Declarations of interest on the agenda

To receive declarations of interest by members in respect of items on this agenda.

5.

Minutes

To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 20th of August 2018.

6.

Adjournment of the meeting

The chairman will adjourn the meeting (15 minutes) to allow members of the public an opportunity to ask questions or raise matters of interest.

7.

Reports

§To receive a report and to agree any further action required from the Police Community Support Officer.

Resolved – minutes of the Annual Parish meeting held on the 15th of May 2017 were received and signed by the chairman as a true record.

3. Chairman’s Report

Cllr Brown welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked John Hartley (prospective Councillor) for attending. He advised that Allerdale had made a good job of the roads but there were still some bad pot holes. The Northern Fells Group continue to help all in need and hold regular walks, classes etc – thanks to Barbara Stoddart for this.The Village Hall is as popular as ever, Stocks Wood a woodland school is new to the parish and the newly refurbished Royal Oak is very popular with a good restaurant.It has been a good year.Thanks to Cllr Fairbairn (Allerdale & County Councillor) for all his hardwork, and due to illness is now working from home - all the best to him.Thanks to all the parish councilors for their commitment & help over the year and the clerk for all her guidance.

4.Open Session

The following questions were raised by parishioners present;

Why had the parish precept increased from £4000 - £7000 over the last four years?It was advised that the parish council supported numerous beneficiaries in the parish including the church yards, the village halls etc and gave donations to the Wigton Baths & Air Ambulance.The annual accounts were available from the clerk.It was asked if the 1st responders could be supported but it was advised that there were no longer a Rosley 1st responders group due to a lack of volunteers, the nearest 1st responders were now Thursby & Wigton.

It was discussed that the state of the roads were disgusting, the farming community were travelling everywhere with silage trundling here and there which was damaging the roads.It was advised that this was a neighbour making a living!A simple solution would be lay-bys or passing places (farm gateways could be utilised) but there was no budget for this.

Speeding on the B5305 at Top Rosley is still a great concern to residents and it was noted that the November minutes stated a 20mph speed limit had been requested but that was not the case. The children’s adventure centre on the road is now an added concern as children were getting off the minibus onto the road instead of the bus being driven into the car park.Police advise that there is no issue with accident logs but accidents are only reported when an ambulance is called.Also, the speed limit should be extended on the Penrith side to include the bend and hill.Residents urged that the parish council again look at this stretch of road and the points raised be forwarded to Rory Stewart MP.

An email from Rory Stewart MP outlined that in March this year, the Chancellor confirmed that a new Gigabit Voucher Scheme was to be rolled out across the country, allowing businesses and homeowners to receive direct financial support for the installation of new future-proofed ultrafast fibre connections. This would be a real opportunity for communities to get together, pool their vouchers, and develop extensions to the BT fibre-enabled cabinet rollout which will bring services out into more remote areas. Ms Smyth kindly volunteered to look into this new scheme.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF UNAUDITED ANNUAL GOVERNANCE &ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2018

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 26 and 27

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

NOTICE

1. Date of announcement21stMAY 2018

2. Each year the smaller authority’s Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) needs to be reviewed by an external auditor appointed by Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments Ltd.The unaudited AGAR has been published with this notice. As it has yet to be reviewed by the appointed auditor, it is subject to change as a result of that review.

Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of theaccounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those recordsmust be made available for inspection by any person interested.For the year ended 31 March 2018, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:

(b) ELIZABETH CLARK, CLERK/RFO

Tel:016973 45665

Email: westwardclerk@aol.com

commencing onMonday 4 June 2018

and ending on Friday 13 July 2018

3. Local government electors and their representatives also have:

·The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and

·The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.

The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.

4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is subject to review by the appointed auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 and the NAO’s Code of Audit Practice 2015.The appointed auditor is:

Please note that this summary applies to all relevant smaller authorities, including local councils, internal drainage boards and ‘other’ smaller authorities.

The basic position

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (the Act) governs the work of auditors appointed to smaller authorities. This summary explains the provisions contained in Sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The Act and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 also cover the duties, responsibilities and rights of smaller authorities, other organisations and the public concerning the accounts being audited.

As a local elector, or an interested person, you have certain legal rights in respect of the accounting records of smaller authorities. As an interested person you can inspect accounting records and related documents. If you are a local government elector for the area to which the accounts relate you can also ask questions about the accounts and object to them. You do not have to pay directly for exercising your rights. However, any resulting costs incurred by the smaller authority form part of its running costs. Therefore, indirectly, local residents pay for the cost of you exercising your rights through their council tax.

The right to inspect the accounting records

Any interested person can inspect the accounting records, which includes but is not limited to local electors. You can inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records. You can copy all, or part, of these records or documents. Your inspection must be about the accounts, or relate to an item in the accounts. You cannot, for example, inspect or copy documents unrelated to the accounts, or that include personal information (Section 26 (6) – (10) of the Act explains what is meant by personal information). You cannot inspect information which is protected by commercial confidentiality. This is information which would prejudice commercial confidentiality if it was released to the public and there is not, set against this, a very strong reason in the public interest why it should nevertheless be disclosed.

When smaller authorities have finished preparing accounts for the financial year and approved them, they must publish them (including on a website). There must be a 30 working day period, called the ‘period for the exercise of public rights’, during which you can exercise your statutory right to inspect the accounting records. Smaller authorities must tell the public, including advertising this on their website, that the accounting records and related documents are available to inspect. By arrangement you will then have 30 working days to inspect and make copies of the accounting records. You may have to pay a copying charge. The 30 working day period must include a common period of inspection during which all smaller authorities’ accounting records are available to inspect. This will be 2-13 July 2018 for 2017/18 accounts. The advertisement must set out the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights, how you can communicate to the smaller authority that you wish to inspect the accounting records and related documents, the name and address of the auditor, and the relevant legislation that governs the inspection of accounts and objections.

The right to ask the auditor questions about the accounting records

You should first ask your smaller authority about the accounting records, since they hold all the details. If you are a local elector, your right to ask questions of the external auditor is enshrined in law. However, while the auditor will answer your questions where possible, they are not always obliged to do so. For example, the question might be better answered by another organisation, require investigation beyond the auditor’s remit, or involve disproportionate cost (which is borne by the local taxpayer). Give your smaller authority the opportunity first to explain anything in the accounting records that you are unsure about. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, you can question the external auditor about the accounting records.

The law limits the time available for you formally to ask questions. This must be done in the period for the exercise of pubic rights, so let the external auditor know your concern as soon as possible. The advertisement or notice that tells you the accounting records are available to inspect will also give the period for the exercise of public rights during which you may ask the auditor questions, which here means formally asking questions under the Act. You can ask someone to represent you when asking the external auditor questions.

Before you ask the external auditor any questions, inspect the accounting records fully, so you know what they contain. Please remember that you cannot formally ask questions, under the Act, after the end of the period for the exercise of public rights. You may ask your smaller authority other questions about their accounts for any year, at any time. But these are not questions under the Act.

You can ask the external auditor questions about an item in the accounting records for the financial year being audited. However, your right to ask the external auditor questions is limited. The external auditor can only answer ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’ questions. The external auditor cannot answer questions about policies, finances, procedures or anything else unless it is directly relevant to an item in the accounting records. Remember that your questions must always be about facts, not opinions. To avoid misunderstanding, we recommend that you always put your questions in writing.

The right to make objections at audit

You have inspected the accounting records and asked your questions of the smaller authority. Now you may wish to object to the accounts on the basis that an item in them is in your view unlawful or there are matters of wider concern arising from the smaller authority’s finances. A local government elector can ask the external auditor to apply to the High Court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, or to issue a report on matters which are in the public interest. You must tell the external auditor which specific item in the accounts you object to and why you think the item is unlawful, or why you think that a public interest report should be made about it. You must provide the external auditor with the evidence you have to support your objection. Disagreeing with income or spending does not make it unlawful. To object to the accounts you must write to the external auditor stating you want to make an objection, including the information and evidence below and you must send a copy to the smaller authority. The notice must include:

·confirmation that you are an elector in the smaller authority’s area;

·why you are objecting to the accounts and the facts on which you rely;

·details of any item in the accounts that you think is unlawful; and

·details of any matter about whichyou think the external auditor should make a public interest report.

Other than it must be in writing, there is no set format for objecting. You can only ask the external auditor to act within the powers available under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

A final word

You may not use this ‘right to object’ to make a personal complaint or claim against your smaller authority.You should take such complaints to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, local Law Centre or to your solicitor. Smaller authorities, and so local taxpayers, meet the costs of dealing with questions and objections.In deciding whether to take your objection forward, one of a series of factors the auditor must take into account is the cost that will be involved, they will only continue with the objection if it is in the public interest to do so. They may also decide not to consider an objection if they think that it is frivolous or vexatious, or if it repeats an objection already considered. If you appeal to the courts against an auditor’s decision not to apply to the courts for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, you will have to pay for the action yourself.

If you wish to contact your authority’s appointed external auditor please write to the address in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return.

85/18 Minutes
The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 19th of February 2018 as a true record.

86/18 Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest received.

87/18 Requests for Dispensations
No requests for dispensations were received in respect of items on this agenda.

88/18 Adjournment of the meeting
A request for salt/grit bins at Barnett Rigg Corner, Rosley Crossroads and the junction of the Curthwaite road with the B5305 was received. It was noted that in certain locations, grit bins were more appropriate than salt piles. Clerk to acquire prices, sizes etc of bins for the next meeting.

89/18 Co-option of Councillors
Mr John Hartley was co-opted onto the council and completed the relevant paperwork.

90/18 To appoint a representative to outside bodies
(i) Cllr Brockbank was appointed representative to the Northern Fells Group.
(ii) It was noted that there was no longer a North East Allerdale Forum.

91/18 Reports
(a) No police report received.
(b) An email from Cllr Fairbairn advised that as far as speeding was concerned, the police are the enforcement agency.
(c) Northern Fells Group - Nothing to report.

93/18 Receipts
The following receipt received was noted:
(a) Allerdale Borough Council – Precept £3481.87 (inc CTRS Grant of £18.12)

94/18 Financial Statements & Annual Audit
a) The certificate of exemption was approved & authorised and signed by the Chairman & Responsible Financial Officer.
b) The annual internal audit report for 2017/18 was received.
c) The Annual Governance Statement 2017/18 was approved & authorised and signed by the Chairman & the Responsible Financial Officer.
d) The council approved the Accounting Statements 2017/18 of the Annual Return & the Chairman and the Responsible Financial Officer were authorised to sign them.
e) The accounts book for the year ending 31st March 2018 was approved by the council and authorised to be signed by the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer.
f) The Period of Exercise of Electors Rights from the 4th June 2018 to the 13th July 2018 & the Publication on the Website were authorised.

There was no objection to the following planning application;
Ref No: HOU/2018/0104 – Retention of flue, render & replacement cills (2) & lintel – Kirksteads Barn, Carwath, Rosley – J Stamper.
Councillors had no objection to the following Tree Preservation Order which was received after the issue of the agenda;
Order No. 3 of 2018 – Land adjacent to Causa Court, Rosley, Wigton.

96/18 Highways
The following highway matters were noted; grit bins required, pot holes between Sandy Brow and the Rosley crossroads. There are no road markings at the East Curthwaite Junction, going towards Dalston. The Reathwaite road requires attention. At the Old Carlisle junction leading onto the A595, on the corner there is a metal spike on the edge of the road on the west side. Brackenthwaite to A595 Wigton road there is a blocked gully.

98/18 Visibility at Sandy Brow
Conifer trees are causing a lack of visibility to the east – clerk to inform highways.

99/18 Defibrillators
Cllr Stoddart gave an update on the parish’s defibrillators and advised that one was required in Curthwaite. This would cost £2000, of which £1200 was already available, further funding to be looked into.

100/18 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
The general data protection regulations were considered and to be progressed as necessary.

101/18 Superfast Broadband
Fully discussed in the Annual Parish Meeting, clerk to progress for the next meeting.

102/18 Standing Orders
The Standing Orders & Financial Regulations for 2018/19 were adopted with the following additions as recommended by NALC; electronic service of summons & agendas on councillors, transparency requirements & changes to data protection (GDPR).

103/18 Speeding Vehicles on the Rosley Road
Fully discussed in the Annual Parish Meeting. The council agreed to request a 30mph speed limit extending on the Penrith side, round the corner and up the hill.

104/18 Items for forward consideration
Grit Bins
Rosley School Light

105/18 Forthcoming Meetings:
(i) The dates of forthcoming meetings were circulated and approved.
(ii) It was noted the next meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Monday the 20th of
August 2018 in Westward Halls, commencing at 7.30pm.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in Westward Halls, Westward on Monday the 20th of August 2018 starting at 7.30 p.m.

AGENDA

1. Chairman’s announcements To receive announcements by the Chairman.

2. Apologies To receive apologies for absence.

3. Requests for Dispensations The clerk to report any requests since the previous meeting for dispensations to speak and/or vote on any matter where a member has a disclosable pecuniary interest

4. Declarations of interest on the agenda To receive declarations of interest by members in respect of items on this agenda.

5. Minutes To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 21st of May 2018 as a true record (copy enclosed).

6. Adjournment of the meeting The chairman will adjourn the meeting (15 minutes) to allow members of the public an opportunity to ask questions or raise matters of interest.

7. Reports - To receive a report and to agree any further action required from the PCSO.

To receive a report and to agree any further action required from the County Councillor/District Councillor.

To receive a report from the Northern Fells Group.

8. Financial Statements

To note the current balances & bank reconciliation of the Council’s Bank Accounts as at 31st of July 2018. To review the council’s 2018/19 budget. To complete the Natwest paperwork to close the council’s current & reserve account.

Cllr Brown welcomed everyone to the meeting and advised that the recycling bins at Rosley Village Hall had been replaced, were now free of charge and the paid invoices were to be reimbursed.The speed cameras at Rosley had been successful but speeding was still going on.The council had no objection to a planning application for Mr & Mrs Earle of Stocks Farm and it was hoped their new venture would be a great success with school parties.The roads are excellent, but the verges are in a state due to large agricultural machinery and no passing places, it was questioned whether gateways could be used as passing places.

43/17Apologies

Apologies for absence were received & accepted from Cllrs Rothery & Robinson.

44/17 Requests for Dispensations

No requests for dispensations were received.

45/17Declarations of interest on the agenda

No declarations of interest were received.

46/17Minutes

Resolved – the minutes of the meeting held on the 21st of August 2017 were received and signed by the chairman as a true record.

47/17 Adjournment of the meeting

Mrs Grave advised that the Curthwaite noticeboard was in poor condition with the new cork coming away due to the damp, one door not opening and condensation in the window.It was noted that the board was only seven years old but needed replacing.

Cllr Todd joined the meeting 7.45pm.

Mr Nineham asked how the superfast broadband was progressing and the clerk advised that she had forwarded parishioners details to BT Community Fibre Partnerships and had been advised the following; although they had spent a number of days on it, it would need the Parish Council to consider some alternatives. Whilst they could see geographic mapping and telephone exchange boundaries - Parish boundaries did not show up on the network mapping, so they couldn’t tell what premises actually fell within the Parish.The addresses supplied covered far too large a geographic footprint - some sit in the neighbouring telephone exchange areas, Dalston and Caldbeck. Trying to include these remote locations would cost 100’s of 1000’s of pounds. Fibre infrastructure is expensive to deploy and only becomes a viable option when multiple premises can be served - not single remote properties. Comparing the post codes there are a good number of residences in postcode CA7 8AU - yet only the school address was included on the template. Similarly, there is a good number of properties in Rosley itself, but there are no addresses provided on the template.Cumbria County Council are considering a new funding process that may offer a contribution to Community funded schemes, but that contribution is based on a per property basis so only giving them a few addresses clearly reduces the amount of fundingthat they may consider.

The clerk advised that a notice regarding broadband had been published in the Link and there had been a very poor response from parishioners, therefore the information supplied to BT had been only that gathered by councillors.

Mr Nineham requested that a review of the speed limit on the B5305 Rosley road be looked at; a 20mph & extension of the limit should be introduced.Speed camera vans had been on the site and many speeders caught, but the effect was short lived and had not reduced the speeding in the long term.He stated that there needed to be some control on this road.Cllr Fairbairn advised that he would speak with the highways safety officer and that the signing on this road was already being looked at. The Parish Council also to contact highways to highlight the continued concerns.

It was asked if a mirror could be placed at the Townend, Rosley junction and Cllr Fairbairn advised that mirrors were no longer supplied.

It was noted that the standing water at Rosley Farm had been reported to Better Highways and if it wasn’t a culvert that was the problem it would be reported to United Utilities.At Westward Halls, left towards the river, numerous springs were coming up and there were potholes outside the halls which had recently been examined by four men (presumably from highways).

48/17Reports

§PCSO 5351 Irving reported that they were planning to hold a meeting for Parish Councils every 10 weeks in each of the areas that they cover.Councillors agreed that this was acceptable and a meeting room, at no cost, would be available if required.It was noted that the crime website was still not up-to-date.

§Cllr Fairbairn reported that the budget consultation was now coming into play with council tax once again probably increasing as there was no spare money in the system.He advised that the week three-way traffic light at Curthwaite/Main road was for safety measures while a fence was being erected.

The current balances & bank reconciliation of the Council’s Bank Accounts as at 31st of October 2017 were noted and approved.The current 2017/18 budget was reviewed and approved.

51/17 Precept

The parish council budget was considered and agreed for 2018/19

Councillors unanimously agreed that the precept for the year 2018/19 be increased to £7000.00 (including the Council Tax Reduction Scheme Grant of £36.24).

52/17Planning Matters

The following applications had a devolved decision of No Objection by the clerk after consultation with Chairman & Councillors as response requested prior to the November meeting;

Ref No: 2/2017/0479 – Proposal for change of use of land to incorporate small-scale forest school business & associated works including the provision of temporary structures – Land adjacent to Stocks Farmhouse, Rosley – Mr & Mrs Earle. Councillors had reservations with regards to the busy main road/speed of traffic.

The following highway issues were noted; pot holes from Lady Wath, down the hill from the Penrith road, main road & Brackenthwaite.Standing water at Red Mire, Brackenthwaite, A595.

54/17 Superfast Broadband

Item fully discussed at 47/17 and it was agreed that a further notice be added to The Link to ask for parishioners with poor broadband speeds to forward their contact details (name, address & telephone number) to the clerk.

Police Crime & Commissioners – Survey on Council Tax Precepts for the Police

Wigton & District Community First Responders – Donation Request – no donation authorised; defibrillators and the Rosley 1st Responders cover the parish.

56/17 Parish Council Land

Cllr Brown advised that he had looked at the parish wood and tested the walkway which seemed fine, to be looked at again in the spring when the leaves were clear.Pieces of logs to be sourced to make little seats so the school children can read/listen to stories there.Repairs to be made to the gateway.

57/17 Parish Noticeboards

‘Men in Sheds’ to be asked if they could assist with new noticeboards – price.Cllr Studholme to look at the locked door on the Curthwaite board.

58/17 Speeding Vehicles on the Rosley Road

It was noted that there had been complaints with regards to the speed of tractors coming through Rosley and that there had been a few near misses.Further details required e.g registration number before any action can be taken.

59/17 Items for inclusion on the next Agenda

Superfast Broadband

Noticeboards

Speeding Vehicles on the Rosley Road

60/17 Date and time of next meeting

It was noted that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Monday the 19th of February 2018 in Rosley Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending & the meeting was closed at 9.15pm.

Cllr Brown welcomed everyone to the meeting and reported that it had been an uneventful few months since the last meeting.Jim Osborne had kindly removed a loose limb on a tree at the Height - free of charge.

24/17Apologies

Apologies for absence were received & accepted from Cllrs Stoddart & Rothery.

25/17Requests for Dispensations

No requests for dispensation were received.

26/17Declarations of interest on the agenda

No declarations of interest were received.

27/17Minutes

Resolved – the minutes of the meeting held on the 15th of May 2017 were received and signed by the chairman as a true record.

28/17 Adjournment of the meeting

Colin Nineham joined the meeting to express his concerns with regards to speeding vehicles on the B5305 Rosley road.A speed camera had been on the road recently and residents give thanks for that.Motor bikes use the road as a race track and car drivers use the activation of the speed device as a competition.Also, there had been a few bumps at the Curthwaite junction of which Cllr Fairbairn stressed that these should always be reported so the police have the statistics to show whether the junction is hazardous or not. A 30mph speed limit on this road would be favorable.Cllr Fairbairn advised that he would raise the issue with highways etc.

The clerk provided an update on superfast broadband stating that the necessary information had been forwarded to BT with a reply expected anytime soon.

29/17Reports

§PCSO 5351 Irving from Cumbria Constabulary joined the meeting and advised that she tried to attend the parish council meetings as much as possible but sometimes shift patterns, jobs etc made it difficult.She noted that there had been no incidents recently reported in the parish, the police were aware that a vehicle had been left at Moorthwaite, the owner of the vehicle was also aware it was there.There continues to be a lot of vandalism/antisocial behavior etc in Wigton, councillors were asked to be vigilant when in the town and to report anything they may come across on 101 or 999 depending on the seriousness.Other items discussed were the 6ft 6” ban on vehicles in the town and street parking issues.Cllr Fairbairn advised that to enforce the ‘no parking’ in the town the double yellow lines, which are currently broken up would need to be repainted.

Cllr Todd joined the meeting – 8pm.

The A595 speed activation sign on the Cockermouth side of Red Dial is not visible due to the overgrown hedge.Cllr Fairbairn advised that a Surgery with Rory Stewart is to be held on the 24th of August between 4-5pm in the Wigton Links Office.

PSCO Irving left the meeting – 8.10pm.

§Cllr Fairbairn stated that he would report the fly-tipping at the far end of Westward car park, a tipped mattress at Reathwaite Lane and rubbish behind the gravel heap at Bluegate crossroads.Cllr Brown advised that the Rosley Village hall had been charged £135.00 for the emptying of the three recycling bins situated in their car park.Cllr Fairbairn said that he would look into this charge and ask why?It was noted that a lot of money had been spent on the Reathwaite Road and it had already deteriorated, it was felt by councillors that it had not been a good job.Cllr Fairbairn also reported on the treatment of sewage sludge, at The Close, Boltongate and that planning permission was required for this and that some Westward Farmers had been receiving these deliveries and Aspatria Town Council complaining about the wood lorries travelling on the A596.

§No report received from Cllr Brockbank with regards to the Northern Fells Group.

Cllr Fairbairn left the meeting – 8.40pm.

30/17

Council’s Bank Account

It was unanimously agreed that the parish council close the current & deposit accounts with the Natwest Bank and open new accounts with the Cumberland Building Society.The relevant forms were completed with signatories being; Cllrs Brown, Todd, Robinson & Studholme.Clerk to progress opening of the new accounts and then arrange transfer of funds.

31/17

Receipts

The following receipts received were noted:

HM Revenue & Customs (Vat Refund)£75.34

Electricity North West£17.08

32/17

Financial Statements

§The current balances on the Council’s Bank Accounts & bank reconciliation as at 31st of July 2017 were noted and agreed.

§The audited annual return for the year ended 31st March 2017 was approved & accepted by the council with no issues arising.

A devolved decision of No Objection by the clerk, following consultation with the Chairman and Councillors, as a response was requested prior to the August meeting, was agreed on the following applications;

On the Sandy Brow to the Heights road the verges are soft and lie below the road level, the west side being the biggest drop, also offlets to be opened on this road.The road outside Westward Halls is breaking up.

36/17

Parish Noticeboards

It was noted that the noticeboard at Curthwaite was very tidy and thanks were given to Linda Low for this.The noticeboards at Westward & Curthwaite have both been backed inside with cork and hopefully the board at Rosley would soon be done.Thanks were given to Cllr Studholme and Pete Graves for carrying out this necessary work. Cllr Studholme advised that he was currently waiting for a price for a kit which would resolve the boards’ condensation issues.

37/17I

Recycling in the Parish

It was reported that Brackenthwaite & other areas of Westward now had the full set of recycling bins.

38/17

High Hall Wood

A reply email from Rebecca Oaks with regards to the woodland management plan for High Hall Wood, stated the following; Would you reassure the councillors that the long term plan is a very gradual restoration to an ASNW woodland (phased removal of conifers) not to eradicate the conifers but to enhance the biological diversity by encouraging a wide range of broadleaf and conifer trees. The fencing is temporary because we are not intending to exclude deer from the woodland but to protect specific areas for the minimum duration necessary toget good natural regen or establish planted stock and get it up above deer head height before moving it on to another area. This sort of fencing within the wood is very discrete and will not be unsightly.

39/17

Parish Council Land

Cllr Studholme advised that he had made a temporary repair to the walkway in the wood next to Rosley School (Parish Land).Cllr Brown advised that he would inspect the area to see what, if any, long term work requires carrying out.

40/17

Items for inclusion on the next Agenda

Parish Noticeboards

Parish Woodland next to Rosley School

41/17

Date and time of next meeting

It was noted that the next meeting of the Parish Council would be held on Monday the 20th of November 2017 in Rosley Village Hall, Rosley, commencing at 7.30pm.

The chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.35pm.

The next Meeting of the Parish Council is to be held in Rosley Village Hall, Rosley

on Monday the 19th of February 2018 starting at 7.30 p.m.

Elizabeth Clark

Clerk

AGENDA

1.

Chairman’s announcements

To receive announcements by the Chairman.

2.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

3.

Requests for Dispensations

The clerk to report any requests since the previous meeting for dispensations to speak and/or vote on any matter where a member has a disclosable pecuniary interest

4.

Declarations of interest on the agenda

To receive declarations of interest by members in respect of items on this agenda.

5.

Minutes

To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 20th of November 2017 as a true record.

6.

Adjournment of the meeting

The chairman will adjourn the meeting (15 minutes) to allow members of the public an opportunity to ask questions or raise matters of interest.

7.

Reports

§To receive a report and to agree any further action required from the PCSO.

§To receive a report and to agree any further action required from the County Councillor/District Councillor.

§To receive a report from the Northern Fells Group.

8.

Financial Statements

§To note the current balances & bank reconciliation of the Council’s Bank Accounts as at 31st of January 2018.

§To review the council’s 2017/18 budget.

§To authorise the transfer of the parish council’s funds to the Cumberland Building Societyand closing of the Natwest accounts.

9.

Payments of accounts

To consider & agree on the following donations;

§The Great North Air Ambulance£400.00

§Rosley Hall £1000.00

§Rosley Hall – Room Hire£10.00

§Rosley Churchyard£250.00

§Westward Halls £1000.00

§Westward Halls – Room HireTBC

§Westward Churchyard£250.00

§Northern Fells Group£400.00

§Mr Morrison (grasscutting)£80.00

§The Link (Parish Newsletter)£230.00

§Wigton Baths Trust£300.00

10.

Planning Matters

Devolved decision by the clerk following consultation with Chairman & Councillors as response requested prior to the February meeting – Objection due to access issues on the highway (C2041) are a great concern as it’s an extremely fast road, this development has outgrown its rural site & is commercialising the countryside.

Ref No: 2/2017/0479 – Proposal for change of use of land to incorporate small-scale forest school business & associated works including the provision of temporary structures – Land adjacent to Stocks Farmhouse, Rosley.

11.

Annual Audit Review

a)To review Risk Assessment

b)To review Effectiveness of Internal Audit

c)To review Asset Register

d)To review the Insurance & Fidelity Guarantee

12.

Superfast Broadband

To receive an update following the advert in the parish magazine & to agree on any further action required.

13.

Parish Councillor Vacancy

To consider the current parish councillor vacancy and co-opt if possible.

14.

Correspondence

To note the following correspondence received & agree any action if required;

CALC – Dec/Jan & Feb Circulars

Wigton Baths Trust – Newsletter

Mr T Moore – Restoration of ‘Cumberland’ Cast Iron Finger Posts

Allerdale Borough Council – Community Governance Reviews

Northern Fells Group -Events & Activities Jan 2018

15.

Highway Matters

To note any highway matters including the inoperative lights at Rosley village hall and the road from the school to the parish wood.

16.

17.

18.

Parish Noticeboards

To receive a quote from ‘Men in Sheds’ for new noticeboards.

Parish Council Land

To receive an update on the proposed wooden seats for the woodland next to Rosley School.

Speeding Vehicles on the Rosley Road

To receive an update on speeding vehicles on the Rosley road & surrounding areas.

19.

Items for inclusion on the next Agenda

The chairman will give councillors the opportunity to put forward items for consideration at the next meeting.

20.

Date and time of next meeting

To note that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be the AGM and will be held on Monday the 21st of May 2018 in Westward Halls, Westward commencing at 7.00pm.